African Governments Urged to Remove Trade Barriers
Trade Officer calls on African governments to eliminate barriers hindering international trade, promoting economic growth and development.
NSANJE, MALAWI — African governments have received a challenge to eliminate all impediments obstructing international trade rights within the continent, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
During the commemoration of the African Day of Decentralisation and Local Government in Nsanje, Trade Officer Zuze Matewere called for the removal of obstacles hindering trade within Africa.
The purpose of this day is to promote trade in Africa, particularly in Malawi, and to address areas where many traders face challenges due to barriers such as taxes, regulations, and visa restrictions.
Tobias Thonje, Chairperson for the Lower Shire Cooperatives, expressed concerns about the strict measures governing international trade, which have made it difficult for cooperatives to find markets, despite holding pre-certificates from the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS).
Nsanje District Council Chair, Rose Makiyi, emphasized the need to rehabilitate the 98 irrigation schemes in the district, many of which were devastated by cyclone Freddy. She stressed that the restoration of these schemes would promote agri-business and contribute to economic growth.
The Lower Shire Cooperatives (LSC), consisting of five primary cooperatives in Masenjere, Mbwazi, Mouna in Nsanje, and Nkhathe and Nkombezi in Chikwawa, highlighted the necessity for improved trade facilitation to enhance market access and boost economic opportunities for local communities.
The African Day of Decentralisation and Local Government, commemorated annually on August 10th, focused on accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) this year.
This event aimed to promote trade integration and economic development across the continent.